Arts news making headlines in 2012

Arts news making headlines in 2012

In January, roughly one-third of the Brampton Symphony Orchestra’s (BSO) musicians left the community organization over managerial and financial disputes. More than 20 members quit, and voiced concern over the artistic direction the of the new board. Days after the mass walk-out, former BSO members announced the formation of the Rose Orchestra, a community-focussed orchestral group consisting of 58 members. It launched its inaugural season in February. Later that month, BSO CEO Michael Todd alleged $25,000 of Stepping Out for Brampton Inc. gala funds attributed to indirect funding for the BSO in 2008 and 2009 were never in the coffers of the organization. The gala board said the funds were paid to cover costs accrued by the BSO with respect to the Rose Theatre and an event in Miami Beach. Todd told media he was pressured to sign papers verifying those funds as contributions to the BSO, but refused to sign. City council asked staff to report back to council with details of how space at the Rose Theatre has been allotted to the Brampton Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and a history of bill payments made to the Rose for that space. In early March, BSO CEO Michael Todd hand delivered a request for $150,000 in Stepping Out for Brampton Inc. gala funds— an amount that reflected previous gala funding to the BSO. In August, Todd filed a complaint with the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) and asked that two of the Stepping Out for Brampton Inc. board members— both local lawyers— removed due to a conflict of interest. The complaint was later dismissed by the LSUC. In September guest musicians who performed in the spring of 2012 with the BSO claimed they had not yet been paid for their services. The BSO confirmed this, and said the lack of gala funding was to blame. That same month it was announced that the BSO was not on the list to receive 2012 Stepping Out for Brampton Inc. funds. The BSO announced at that time it would reschedule its first two concerts for the 2012/13 season (September and October); however, the city could not confirm these details with the BSO and was forced to officially cancel the BSO’s September date at the Rose Theatre. In October a new city manager was appointed, and given the task of resolving BSO matters.Recently, Fennell was cleared of any
wrongdoing in dealings with the Brampton Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Todd.
ADR Chambers Integrity Commissioner Office released a report Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 18) dismissing all complaints.
Todd filed a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner alleging Fennell:
misused indirect cash benefits from the Community Fund (Stepping Out
for Brampton Inc. (SOFBI)); improperly solicited Todd’s signature for
documentation of funding from the Community Fund; used inconsistent
public statements regarding her position with the BSO; lacked
transparency and accountability in relation to the Community Fund; and
had an involvement with the new Rose Orchestra.
The report, investigated by ADR’s Randy Pepper, looked at whether any of
these claims were in contravention of the Municipal Act, the Code of
Conduct for the Members of Council (City of Brampton), and the Brampton
by-law appointing Donald Cameron as the city’s Integrity Commissioner.
The conclusion of the report states “I find that no supportable issues
of integrity are presented by this complaint. I therefore find that the
complaint against Mayor Fennell should be dismissed without further
action.”Todd
went public in February 2012 with allegations that he was pressured by
Fennell in late 2010 to sign off on indirect funding from Stepping Out
for Brampton Inc. A sum of approximately $25,000 was in question—
roughly $10,000 from 2008 and $15,000 from 2009— when Todd refused to
sign a document saying the BSO received those funds. SOFBI board chair
Heather Picken, at that time, said the funds were disbursed for items
related to the BSO. ADR’s investigation could not find any misuse of
funds after receipts totalling $24,904.10 were produced by the City of
Brampton that “represent indirect costs paid by the Fund on behalf of
the BSO”. The investigator further reports those events related to those
costs— functions in Miami Beach— were corroborated by several
witnesses.
The report also states Fennell, who had resigned from the board when she
asked Todd to sign for the indirect funding, did not breach the city’s
Code of Conduct for the Members of Council by requesting his signature.
Assertions by Todd that Fennell used inconsistent statements regarding
SOFBI’s support of the BSO does not contravene the code, the report
reads. It also states there is no evidence of a commitment from Fennell
to delegate the majority of the fundraiser’s proceeds to the BSO.
In response to Todd’s claims of a lack of transparency and
accountability by SOFBI, the report indicates the Integrity
Commissioner’s Office has “no authority over the now incorporated
SOFBI”. It also cites the previous report by Integrity Commissioner
Cameron that investigated the gala (SOFBI), and cleared Fennell of
wrongdoing in October 2011.
There was also a lack of evidence to support Todd’s claims that Fennell
was involved in the Rose Orchestra. The report indicates Fennell denies
involvement, and did not attend the groups inaugural fundraising event
in February 2012.

HACE summit
In February, the city hosted its first Creative Economy Summit to explore ideas on stimulating a thriving creative economy using the arts. Guest speakers included Tim Jones of Artscape, Karin Eaton of Mural Routes and other high profile presenters. Roughly 400 people attended the summit, and city officials were hopeful that it would generate positive change in Brampton’s downtown— specifically the HACE plan (Heritage, Arts, Culture, Entertainment). During the summit, Rob Filkin explained a 12-step study process, which is now complete, and said the group is looking to 2016 for a successful, vibrant creative economy in the city.
To get there, the project team— Brampton Arts Council, Brampton Downtown Development Corporation and the City of Brampton— need to craft a shared vision and look to the local artistic and economic communities to harness innovative ideas and plans.

Theatre groups fold
In April, the owner, operator and executive director of Brampton’s DYT (Do Your Thing) Productions announced the facility would close its doors after opening just five years ago. Kristine Marchese decided it was time to move on after facing financial challenges maintaining the popular Brampton performance school and studio, which offered classes in everything from acting and writing, to singing and sketch comedy.
In May, John Thomas announced the closure of the long-running Brampton Theatre School and its production company Theatre Alive. Thomas, the founder and artistic director of the 13-year operation, said severe challenges “financial and otherwise” forced the decision.

PAMA opens
In September, the new Peel Art Gallery opened its doors to the public after a year and a half of renovations. A total of $16 million was poured into the project to renovate and restore the region’s art gallery, museum and archives. The first of the three-phase opening for PAMA (Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives) took place Sept. 30.
The new art gallery­ has expanded space and services though almost 7,000 sq. ft. of room. It will allow twice as many students to participate in classroom-based programming per year; enable the gallery to mount several exhibits at once in three times the previous exhibit space; allow for more community involvement through the community gallery space; and offer a lobby, gift shop, underground passageway and collection storage facility like never before. It links to the Peel County Courthouse, as well as the Peel County Jail, which was opened in the second phase on Nov. 22 that also featured the museum’s debut. The final phase of the opening is slated for February 2013.

Arts Person of the Year
The annual Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts, held in September, marked two milestones in 2012— the 25th year for the fundraising event, and the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious Arts Person of the Year Award.
Brampton’s Jade Jager Clark, 24, was announced as the recipient for her contributions in the arts. She is the owner of the successful dance studio/performance company Jade’s Hip Hop Academy, and is an advocate for local youth. She has developed several programs to assist youth in their artistic endeavours. She also sits on the board of directors for Dance Ontario, and is the director of the Dance Ontario Youth Board.